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4-Hour Private Tour of the Summer Palace by Public Transportation
Beijing, Northern China, China
$148
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
Overview
Beijing’s public transport system is renowned for its exceptional convenience—and traveling by bus or metro ranks among the fastest, most authentic ways to get around the city. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the daily rhythm of local life, blending in with Beijingers and getting a genuine taste of what a typical commute here feels like. This 4-hour private tour is designed to let you do just that: you’ll not only experience the city like a local through its public transport but also visit the stunning Summer Palace, combining the charm of everyday Beijing with the grandeur of one of China’s most iconic imperial gardens—offering a well-rounded, memorable journey that goes beyond typical sightseeing.
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Private Tour
Pickup included
Pickup included
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
- Entrance fee
- English speaking tour guide
- Hotel pick up(by public transportation)
- Metro Costs
- Private Walking Tour
- Gratuities
- Hotel drop-off (public transport back to hotel)
- Food and drinks
- Additional Entrance fees (inner sites of major attractions)
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Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)Depending on the start time selected at checkout, meet your guide outside of your hotel lobby at your preferred time. From here, you’ll make your way to the nearest metro station for the short and easy journey to the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once you arrive at the Summer Palace—a masterpiece of Chinese imperial gardens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—follow your guide to enter through its East Gate. Inside, you will explore a series of its most iconic and culturally significant buildings, each holding a piece of history: the majestic Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (once the imperial throne hall for handling state affairs), the winding Long Corridor (adorned with over 14,000 colorful paintings depicting historical stories and natural landscapes), the elegant Marble Boat (a unique stone structure symbolizing imperial stability), and the serene Hall of Happiness and Longevity (a former residence for empresses).
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Hall of Benevolence and LongevityOnce you arrive at the Summer Palace—a masterpiece of Chinese imperial gardens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—follow your guide to enter through its East Gate. Inside, you will explore a series of its most iconic and culturally significant buildings, each holding a piece of history: the majestic Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (once the imperial throne hall for handling state affairs), the winding Long Corridor (adorned with over 14,000 colorful paintings depicting historical stories and natural landscapes), the elegant Marble Boat (a unique stone structure symbolizing imperial stability), and the serene Hall of Happiness and Longevity (a former residence for empresses).
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Hall of Happiness and LongevityYour exploration of the Summer Palace begins with a visit to the Hall of Happiness and Longevity—a graceful imperial residence that served as the home of Empress Dowager Cixi during her stays at the garden. As you step into this elegant complex, your guide will walk you through the layout of its accompanying courtyard, explaining its practical functions in imperial life (such as serving as a quiet resting area or a space for receiving close attendants) while sharing fascinating anecdotes and historical stories behind the hall. These tales will bring to life the daily moments of the imperial court, letting you better understand the significance of this space and the role it played in the empress dowager’s time at the Summer Palace.
- After visit few other courtyards, then stroll along the longest corridor in the world with your guide, enjoy amazing view while walking, and learn different legendary stories about the paintings on the roof. (pass by)
- As you stroll along, your eyes will be drawn to the stunning view of Kunming Lake unfolding beside you—its calm waters glistening under the sun, with distant hills forming a soft backdrop and small boats gliding gently across the surface. Amid this serene scenery, your guide will share insights into the key elements that defined a perfect Chinese garden in ancient times: how the lake (representing "water") harmonizes with the surrounding pavilions and corridors (representing "architecture"), how the distant hills and nearby plants (representing "nature") create layers of scenery, and how every twist and turn of the path is designed to "unfold a new view"—all coming together to achieve the ancient pursuit of "blending man-made beauty with natural charm," a core philosophy of traditional Chinese landscape gardening. (pass by)
- At the end of the Long Corridor, your eyes will be drawn to the famous Marble Boat—a classic ornamental structure in traditional Chinese landscaping that sits gracefully by the shore of Kunming Lake. Unlike ordinary boats, this "boat" is entirely made of white marble, with delicate carvings of wave patterns on its hull, giving it the illusion of gliding on the water even as it stays firmly anchored. Take a moment to snap photos of this unique landmark, then listen as your guide reveals its deep meaning: in ancient times, emperors built this stone boat to symbolize "eternal stability"—a wish that their rule, like the unshakable marble vessel, would stand firm against the tides of time, making it not just a decorative piece, but a carrier of imperial ideals. (pass by)
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Tower of Buddhist Incense(Summer Palace)Then, you will make your way back to the middle area of the Summer Palace and continue your visit to the Hall of Dispelling Clouds. Perched on the central axis of Longevity Hill, this grand hall stands as the centerpiece of a cluster of buildings once used exclusively for imperial celebrations—its elaborate decorations, from carved beams to painted rafters, all reflecting the solemnity and grandeur of such occasions. From here, you can also gaze up at the towering Tower of Buddhist Incense (a iconic landmark of the Summer Palace) and other nearby Buddhist buildings, their traditional architectural styles blending harmoniously with the surrounding hills and greenery, offering a striking view of imperial religious aesthetics. Your Summer Palace tour will conclude at the North Gate. You have two flexible options: you can choose to stay a little longer and explore the parts of the palace at your own pace, or head directly to the nearby subway station to take the subway back to your hotel.
How it works?
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You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
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We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
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Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
4-Hour Private Tour of the Summer Palace by Public Transportation
Beijing, Northern China, China
$148
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!